Kevin Seifert

(2:03 PM)

Hi everyone. Sorry I'm late. I've had a bit of a scheduling issue here but we're good to go for about the next 45 minutes. Let's get to it.

Cheesehead Sports Nut (Chicago, IL)

We are in the unofficial misinformation period before the NFL Draft when it seems like any information coming from teams has to be taken with a grain of salt. How do you sift through that information to determine what is fact and what is fiction?

Kevin Seifert

(2:04 PM)

In the old days, we used to just say, "Wait until draft day." But people expect us to answer their questions about who will draft whom. So I basically only draw conclusions from information I hear from multiple and unconnected parties. Then you have a chance for it to be right.

Tom (MN)

Where do you get off?

Kevin Seifert

(2:05 PM)

Usually right in front of my house.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Will the Minnesota Vikings still play their Home Games at the Metrodome or Mall of America Field in 2011?

Kevin Seifert

(2:06 PM)

They will play them in the Metrodome. On Mall of America Field.

Kimberly (Wi)

Good afternoon Kevin, My question is on thursday when the sides meet with the judge what cdo you know about the judge that is gonna hear the case?

Kevin Seifert

(2:06 PM)

Not much, other than he has reportedly done this hundreds of times. It's actually not a case. Judge Boylan is just going to be a mediator and try to bring the sides to a compromise based on the information he gets from them in individual meetings. He's not deciding any case.

lewis (flint michigan)

All players that go undrafted cannot sign till this labor debacle is settled. How does the league police teams from making contact with players they have interest in during this time?

Kevin Seifert

(2:08 PM)

That's a good question. Teams are supposed to be keeping a log of all contact with agents to ensure the communication is legal. As for the players themselves, they're actively following up on complaints they hear, and at the owners meeting last month, commissioner Roger Goodell said five teams had already been punished.

Forrest (Indianapolis)

Welcome back, Kevin. I read somewhere (maybe from a link in your blog) that Matthew Stafford played just one full game in 2010, and part of 2 other games. In the full game he played, the Lions won. In the 2 games he left with injury, the Lions were in the lead when he left the game. His TD/INT ratio was an impressive 6 TD's to only 1 INT. Granted, it's a small sample size, but do you think Stafford can be THAT good when healthy for long periods of time?

Kevin Seifert

(2:09 PM)

It was a small sample size, and I know when I wrote about it during the season, the numbers showed he was being pretty cautious about the types of throws he was making. But yes, I think everyone agreed that he looked a lot better than he did his rookie year.

MajikMan (Ind)

Why do the mock drafts keep harping on OLB as a need for GB? They have Jones, Chillar, Zombo and Walden for competition there

Kevin Seifert

(2:10 PM)

Because all four of those guys got hurt last year and couldn't make it through the season. They want a guy that can give them 16 games. And if I'm not mistake, Jones was non-tendered.

matt (detroit)

I keep hearing about how the Lions might draft a DE or OT in the first round. do you think it would be practical for them to draft a DE that early when they have such big holes at OLB and CB?

Kevin Seifert

(2:11 PM)

Was it practical to draft a tight end at No. 20 overall in 2009? Not really. But that's not how Martin Mayhew works. If he thinks a defensive end is the best player left on the board, he'll take him.

Matt (DC)

Where's the option to vote Seifert on the cover of Madden '12?

Kevin Seifert

(2:11 PM)

When they come out with Blogger'13, I'll be all over it.

Zac (Minny)

What is at the root of the Vikings not wanting to sign Ray Edwards, or is it vice versa? It seems like it would be a good idea to keep him to eliminate some holes, not to mention he is a talented player.

Kevin Seifert

(2:12 PM)

That's a good question. Outside pass rushers are hard to find. I don't know if this is the case with Ray, but there are some players that teams don't want signed to long-term deals. They prefer paying them annually in hopes of getting maximum production out of him.

Brandon (Colorado Springs CO)

Hey Kevin do we know how Godser's rehab is going? Micro fracture surgery is no joke. I thought Hillyard played well at the end of last season. If no prince is there at 13th, do the lions select a Ot there or maybe with a rookie cap maybe shock everyone and go with say A Mr. Pouncey to replace Riola who is allays getting thrown back?

Kevin Seifert

(2:15 PM)

You're right. That is serious surgery and not everyone comes back from it. But the Lions have indicated they have every reason to believe Cherilus will be ready at the end of July.

Ed (Beltsville,MD)

Da Bears trade the 29th pick for what an additional 2 or 3rd rounder???

Kevin Seifert

(2:16 PM)

It's sounding more and more like that could be the case. You never know exactly what they'll get in return, but there are some people who think the No. 29 pick is going to be barren at the positions the Bears would like to draft -- especially offensive tackle.

Trey (Naperville, IL)

Kevin, we are in the doldrums of April, and the only thing that might be worse than reading your off-season, non-football stories touching on such weighty matters as video game matchups, Jen Sterger, and a stadium that will never be built, is actually writing those stories. Am I right?

Kevin Seifert

(2:17 PM)

Ha! At least I know you read them ... or at least looked at the headline. As far as writing them, I'm enjoying trying to find new things to write about. Whether I'm being successful at it is another story.

Mike (Boston)

Kevin - If Da'Quan and Prince are both available, who do the Lions take?

Kevin Seifert

(2:17 PM)

If they're satisfied with the medical report, I'll say Bowers.

Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay)

Are you voting for me to be on the Madden cover? Come on, I can't lose to Peyton Hillis.

Kevin Seifert

(2:18 PM)

Sounds like the Browns are doing everything in their power to help Hillis pull the upset. But I'm guessing you'll pull it out...

Jim (St. Paul)

Do you anticipate a significant decline in Donald Driver's production next season? I remember reading that he had knee surgery in the offseason last year and he reported that it had never felt better.

Kevin Seifert

(2:19 PM)

Well, there was a significant decline in the second half of last season, albeit because of injury. The presence of Jordy Nelson, and possibly James Jones, could make Driver more of a part-time player. But he's also really competitive. I doubt he's going to cede much time willingly.

Jim (MN)

What percent chance do you give James Jones (aka Mittens) of playing for GB again?

Kevin Seifert

(2:20 PM)

Depends on what free agency system the NFL has. If he's a restricted free agent, he'll probably be back. If he's unrestricted, he'll almost definitely be gone.

Andy (Arlington, VA)

Kev, time to spice up some of your off-season postings. Have at it -- who are the most overrated and underrated players in the NFCN?

Kevin Seifert

(2:21 PM)

Not a bad thought. We can get back to Have at It if you guys want to. The bruises of last year should be healed by now. I'll take all ideas....

Michael (Norfolk)

Are you hoping for an Aaron Rodgers-Adrian Peterson final round in the Madden cover vote?

Kevin Seifert

(2:22 PM)

It would put us at the Epicenter of Gamenity!

Kevin Seifert

(2:22 PM)

Or is the Gamenation?

Ted Thompson (My Office)

Sorry James Jones, Cullen Jenkins, it's time to replace you both with hidden gems through the draft. Wasn't that obvious with my refusal to get a deal done with either of you before the lockout occured?

Kevin Seifert

(2:22 PM)

Agreed on both counts.

Bart Starr (Green Bay)

What's with Tom Brady whining about? I had to wait 17 rounds before I got drafted!

Kevin Seifert

(2:23 PM)

And I'm guessing you weren't walking around the block with your parents at the time, either.

Greg (St Louis)

Early on, experts said Prince A would not make it past Dallas or Houston. Why do so many know think he'll drop to the Lions?

Kevin Seifert

(2:24 PM)

I'm guessing it's just placing players that seem more obvious with those teams. I couldn't tell you. To me, a speedy cover corner is premium a commodity as there is. Unless there are some teams who don't think he can cover...

Chris D. (Fort Worth)

Kevin, were facebook friends and thats cool. We both know that TT is going to trade out of the first round.... Dont we?

Kevin Seifert

(2:25 PM)

I wouldn't be shocked. That would be fun ... sitting through the draft all night long and at the very end of the first round, the Packers bow out.

Roscoe P. Coltrain (Hazzard County)

Gotch Ya this time Seifert Your under arrest seifert, now get out of your vehicle guh guh guh guh

Kevin Seifert

(2:25 PM)

Where is Enos?

Nick (Michigan)

More likely for the Lions: Trade UP or Trade DOWN?

Kevin Seifert

(2:26 PM)

Definitely down. Not nearly enough ammo for a reasonable jump up and still maintaining the integrity of the rest of the draft.

Nolan (La Crosse, WI)

With the new kick off rules do you think the draft stock of WR and CB will drop as a whole, since the return game won't be as prolific?

Kevin Seifert

(2:27 PM)

No. If anything, players with questionable skills at a position but excellent return ability might be devalued.

Tom (MN) [via mobile]

In your last chat you predicted that Andy Dalton would be the Vikings starting quarterback. Are you hearing things out at Winter Park about Dalton? Because speculation is they love Jake Locker.

Kevin Seifert

(2:28 PM)

No, like most answers to draft questions, it was a gut answer on my part. I've read the Locker speculation recently. I've said all along that he would be their first real decision -- take him at No. 12 or move down or move on -- and I'll stick with that. In the end, I wonder if they'll be willing to use the No. 12 pick on him.

Jim (MN)

Do you think Sterger will join the new lingerie league team here in MN?

Kevin Seifert

(2:30 PM)

Ha. That would be funny. ... Right now, they're the only pro football team in operation around here.

Kimberly (Wi)

How is the lockout effecting The Bears?

Kevin Seifert

(2:31 PM)

The biggest thing is they're not getting a chance to have some second year progress in their offensive scheme. This is really the time where you can refine and improve, after the base sets have been installed and worked on. But in the grand scheme, they're not nearly in as bad of a position as some. The Bears have a mostly veteran roster and their program has been established for some time.

Brett Favre (Mississippi)

Kevin, I can't decide. Should I come back next year? i'm thinking the Lions might need me now. Their QB is no Iron Man..

Kevin Seifert

(2:32 PM)

The rest of the NFC North would be thrilled with that move.

Stephen (Chicago)

Do you buy that the new kickoff rules were really made to provide for player saftey or do you think that most clubs voted for it because they were tired of teams with excellent special teams like the Bears and Jets beating them in the thrid phase?

Kevin Seifert

(2:33 PM)

My conspiracy theory is that the NFL wanted/needed something tangible to suggest they are committed to improving player safety. This was one of their attempts.

Bear Down (KS)

Kev, do the Bears really not know if players like Kruetz and Adams are coming back next year? Sure, they cant talk to them right now, but do teams generally have an idea as to whether or not they will be able to resign a player after the lockout?

Kevin Seifert

(2:35 PM)

I'm not so sure about that. They could have made Kreutz an offer before the lockout to get him signed. Obviously it didn't happen. That doesn't mean it won't happen, but if they thought they were definitely going to sign him, I think they would have done it. Maybe they're waiting to see how the draft/free agency goes.

Michael (Norfolk)

Is it me or is Julius Peppers overrated? I mean, he's a very good player, but I think Urlacher is the real cornerstone of that defense. When Urlacher was gone in 2009, that defense just wasn't the same.

Kevin Seifert

(2:36 PM)

Peppers and Urlacher's return vastly improved the Bears' defense last year. I know Peppers didn't have great sack numbers, but most people who watched them in 2009 and then in 2010 could see the impact he made. He was a first team All-Pro at the position, which should tell you something.

Michael (Norfolk)

What's going on with Brad Childress? Has he even been offered an assistant coaching job; I haven't heard any news about him since he was fired.

Kevin Seifert

(2:37 PM)

He apparently had some meetings with some teams about OC jobs. But he's being paid for two more years. He can be choosy about what he takes.

Frank (Chi)

I see some people are now predicting the Bears will go DL in rd 1. I know the lockout has to end but if it does do you see them trying to fill the DL void via free agency or trade with a player like Haynesworth?

Kevin Seifert

(2:39 PM)

Well, we know pretty much for sure that the draft will come first. So my guess is they'll see what they get in the draft and hope they don't have to rely on a late-summer free agent signing.

Kevin Seifert

(2:39 PM)

Ok y'all. A few more here.

Michael (Norfolk)

Would you say Tramon Williams is one of the most underrated defensive players in the league? He's always been good in my opinion, but nobody ever talks about him and he didn't even make the Pro Bowl this year.

Kevin Seifert

(2:40 PM)

Well, he was eventually named as an alternate. Winning Super Bowls definitely puts players on the map. I think people know he's a pretty good cornerback in this league.

Bear Down (KS)

Who is the worst player on the Bears starting OL? Wright says its Olin Kruetz, do you agree?

Kevin Seifert

(2:40 PM)

Well, he saw every Bears game last season and I did not. He gets the benefit of the doubt on that one.

T (Georgia)

If Rodgers does win the madden cover. you think they could use a picture of him with his championship belt so the bears and vikings fans can suck it.

Kevin Seifert

(2:41 PM)

Ha! On that one ... farewell for this week everyone. Sorry I had to jump out early. Duty calls...